My father-in-law gave me his 20 gallon compressor a couple months ago. I ordered an HVLP sprayer that specs under 5cfm at 40psi, which the compressor handles fine.

Before turning myself loose on any steel, I'm trying to pick up the craft on some unfinished wood. I hit it first with an oil enamel primer, and then with a latex enamel for the color coats.

The first coat of primer went on very rough - like 150 grit sandpaper. I sanded it smooth before trying again, but I thinned it out on the next pass and that went on much smoother.

Today I sprayed the first color coat. Thinned it to maybe a half & half consistency. It went on decently, but was not atomized enough - too spray painty looking.

Increased the air pressure a bit - was that a correct response? Seemed to work better after that (around 50psi at the compressor outlet).

Here's my questions as I finish this first try:

1) using gloss enamel - can I get a smooth gloss finish with the sprayer alone, or is sanding nearly always necessary.

2) if I need to sand/buff after the final coat of gloss enamel, uhh...what do I use?

Thanks, Senseis! -Jesse